City of Dragons: Of Flesh and Blood

by Wilder, Adrienne

“Where do you want this?”

  Farley cracked an eye. Claire stood outside the stall with her arms loaded down. A partially unraveled towel thrown on top of clothes, bundled with…

  Holy fuck.

  “Are those Twinkies?”

  “Yeah.” Claire tried to shuffle the clothes around.

  “Give’em.”

  “You’re in the shower.”

  “Don’t care, hand ‘em over.” Farley’s mouth was watering just thinking about all that sugary goodness.

  “Farley, you can’t be serious! They’ll get--” He snatched the box out from under the pile and ripped off the end. A little Twinkie explosion sent the cellophane wrapped cakes all over the shower floor. Farley snatched up two, tore off the ends and shoved them into his mouth.

  “Oh God, yes!” Happy noises bubbled from his chest. “Man…” He searched for another, grabbed two more and did a repeat. Claire glared and he pretended not to notice.

  She huffed and crossed her arms. “Why did you run off last night?”

  Man, here he was trying to enjoy a total palate orgasm and she was doing her best to ruin it. He picked up the last two and crammed them in his pie hole. This time he chewed, slow. With any luck she’d get bored and go away.

  Which of course she didn’t.

  Farley pumped out a handful of soap from the dispenser on the wall and proceeded to scrub himself down.

  “Farley…”

  “What?”

  “Answer me.”

  “Why?”

  She made an angry sound and put the pile she was carrying down on a bench. “Why do you have to be such a jerk?”

  Farley stuck his head under the spray and raked his fingers over his scalp until it burned. When he came back up she was still there with all her weight bearing down on one leg. It was a stance which threatened she would grow roots and stay there unless he said what she wanted to hear.

  Farley filled his hands up with soap and lathered his body again all over. When he got to his waist he turned to face her, hands going to his groin, working up lather. He even cocked a leg, so she could get a real good look as he scrubbed the underside of his leg and slid soapy hands up his ass crack.

  Claire stared, angry, refusing to look away. That is, until a cop walked by grinning.

  Farley jabbed a finger at her. “That’s why, Claire. Right there.” He put his leg down and rinsed off.

  She waved a hand in front of her face. “I can’t help it if I get embarrassed. It’s normal.”

  “For Humans, yeah.” He ducked under the water, wishing it was hotter.

  Farley took another handful of soap and sucked it up in his mouth and sloshed it around. Claire made a face. He spit. “If you knew what I’ve been eating you wouldn’t look at me like that.” He stuck his finger in his mouth and scrubbed the soap over his teeth. When he looked up Claire was holding out a toothbrush and a little tube of paste.

  Well, didn’t she just think of everything?

  Feeling a little more like an ass, Farley muttered thanks, took the brush and squeezed the entire tube into his mouth. With enough force to knock enamel off his teeth, then he scrubbed his tongue until he tasted blood.

  “Garrett said you saved a lot of people last night.”

  He tossed Claire a sideways glance and shoved the toothbrush to the back of his throat.

  Did he tell you I ate a half-breed?

  Doubt it.

  Farley spit. “Just doing my job.”

  “I think it was brave of you.”

  Again he tossed his eyes in her direction, not trusting where this was going at all. Claire’s gaze was off somewhere down the waterlogged walkway. She didn’t even seem to notice there were other naked bodies in the surrounding stalls.

  Farley rinsed his mouth out in the spray, gargled and spit. He put the toothbrush on the ledge. When everything appeared clean he shut off the water. Claire handed him a towel.

  “You going to dress me too?” It was mean and he didn’t care.

  She shook her head and stepped aside. Farley scrubbed the towel over himself then wrapped it around his waist. It was as close to an apology as he was in the mood to give.

  “Since you got Inoata, does that mean you’ll be out of the Dens for a while?”

  He frowned because there was a little too much anticipation in her tone. Since telling her about the GLG wasn’t an option, he said, “Yeah, in fact I’m going out of town for a few days.”

  “Where?”

  His knee jerk reaction was to ask her why she wanted to know. Then he thought about the Twinkies and how she didn’t have to do that. Or the other stuff, come to think of it.

  With a sigh Farley sat down on the bench and looked through the pile of clothes. There was a black long sleeve shirt and a pair of black skaters, with a few studs and with black chains hanging off the sides. They smelled like Claire’s house. He’d been wondering where that pair had gotten off to.

  Her loud sigh reminded him that she was still waiting on an answer.

  Farley said, “I’m not sure yet.”

  “We could go to the lake.”

  We. We? He blinked at her. After what she said last night? Was she serious?

  Fine. Two could play this game.

  “I’m probably going to meet up with Haley.” He felt pleased when her eyes darkened and her mouth turned into a slash.

  “Oh...I figured since she went with a friend…”

  Friend? And friend was an obvious stand in for fuck buddy, suggesting Farley should be totally jealous.

  This was just too easy.

  Farley grinned. “Don’t worry, she’ll share, she always does.” It took a second but Claire’s eyes went wide. “I told you, Claire. I won’t change my ways. Ever.”

  She turned her head away, blinking fast. Farley left the boxers and pulled on the skaters. He frowned and fondled the sweat socks. He needed shoes. His boots were toast, like the rest of his clothes. That was what? Three pair this week? No wonder he never had any money.

  Since he was SOL on the shoes he stuck the socks in his pocket. Maybe vice would have an extra pair? He’d always wanted some of those heavy duty pavement bashers. Real shitkickers. The ass stomping kind.

  Claire made an angry sound. “I thought you cared about me?”

  Farley rolled his eyes and said, “This isn’t about my feelings for you.” No, this was about her feelings about him. Or rather his inhuman behavior.

  Farley scrubbed a hand over his scalp. His hair was long enough to actually fold over his fingers now and form little ringlets. Another week or so and he’d have to start tucking the shit behind his ears like a girl. Maybe some cute little barrettes would add to the affect. Yeah, that was a good way to wind up on his knees in the Dens.

  “Farley…” Claire rubbed her red nose with a delicate hand and stepped closer. Farley pulled back. “Please don’t be angry with me.”

  It was too hard to think with her scent in his nose. No, smelling her made Farley start saying stupid shit. “I’m not angry with you, Claire. I’m angry at the things that keep popping out of your mouth. There is a difference.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You keep saying these things to me. You talk about how you want me to be with you. But after last night it’s obvious you really only want to be with me because you have some sort of savior complex.” By the look on her face that so did not come our right. “Shit… Look. I’m happy.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  He groaned and threw out his arms. “See, that’s exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “Farley, you’ve been a victim since you were hatched. You don’t even know what happiness is.”

  Okay. This was obviously going nowhere.

  He snatched up his shirt and shoved himself into it. “This conversation is over.” Farley stood up and Claire stepped in front of him. “Move.”

  “When you listen to what I have to say. I am open to learning your social customs and I do wan
t to understand you. But at the same time you’ve got to realize that this life you’re living isn’t conducive to your well being. Even if it’s not with me. You need someone that will be good to you. Not whore you out.”

  “What?” Where the hell did she come up with this shit? Whore him out?

  “I’ve talked to people…about…about what you do in the Dens and it’s just not right, how the Center makes you sell your dignity.”

  Oh, good God. Farley moved to go around her and Claire grabbed his arm.

  “There are people who can help you, Farley.”

  “I don’t need help!” He yanked, hoping she’d let go, but her hands were practically embedded into his arm.

  “Farley, I just want to see you happy and safe, with someone who cares about you.”

  He shoved his face in hers. “And let me guess, that someone would be you?” Claire swallowed and blushed. “So are we talking marriage here?” Farley stepped up and she went back. “So tell me, Claire, how many Kin do you know who live the happy life of monogamous bliss?”

  Her hands fluttered. “I’ve read about several--”

  “Bullshit. Reading about it and seeing is two different things. Everyone I’ve seen try has failed. And I’m talking a capital F kind of fail. Like eating your spouse kind of fail.”

  Her eyes widened. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”

  “You sure about that?” He herded her back until her shoulders hit the wall. “Cause I’ll be honest with you. Your taste is divine. Did you know every Human tastes different? Some like chocolate, some like buttered chicken.” Claire tried to jerk back when he dipped in and flicked his tongue across her cheek.

  Farley smacked his lips. “Do you want to know what you taste like, Claire?” She turned her head away. “Peaches and cream. It’s a very rare flavor for a Human. So sweet.” Farley stepped back, giving her room to run. Unfortunately she stayed right where she was, arms wrapped around her middle. He frowned.

  Claire’s breath shuddered out. “I know you’re trying to scare me. I’m not going to be scared of you anymore.” Her cornflower eyes came up. Farley curled his lip. “What? Are you going to bite me? Maybe rip out a hunk of flesh? ‘Cause that’s what you do, right? Eat people?” She punched him in the chest, winced and wound up cradling her hand.

  Eat people. Yeah, if she only knew. Farley said, “I’ve killed thousands.”

  Her expression said she didn’t believe him.

  Farley said, “Before I met Haley I was flesh addicted. So yeah. I eat people, Claire.”

  “But you changed.” She said it like he’d gotten a nicotine patch or some shit. It was impossible for Humans to understand these things. The worst drug addiction had nothing on flesh cravings.

  Farley waved her off. “I need to go. Garrett will be expecting me.”

  “But you changed, Farley. Admit it. You changed because you wanted to.” He walked out the door but she was on him like white on rice. “There are groups…they help couples…” He headed up the stairs and Claire kept talking. “Human-Kin couples. They can help us…” The metal door boomed when he punched it open, and a second bang followed when it slammed against the wall. Farley stomped up the hall. Claire had to run to keep up. “They have methods…and therapy…”

  Methods? Therapy?

  Farley whirled on Claire so fast she jerked back and hit the floor. He could have caught her but he didn’t even try. He wanted her to fall. He wanted her to hurt. Farley threw his hands in her face and screamed, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “I just want to help you.”

  “God of Man, Claire. Don’t you get it? Yes, I changed. Once I changed because…yeah, you’re right, I wanted to. But everything else? No, I don’t want to change. I enjoy it. All of it. I like the fucking. I enjoy feeding and being fed on. I like being in the Dens. I don’t want to be Human. Don’t you understand? Huh? Do you? I don’t want to be saved!”

  He looked up to see the entire upstairs office gathered at the end of the hall. Farley rolled his eyes over all of them, attracted by the fear they radiated. They smelled like prey. Everything was too bright and he was breathing too fast. Scales feathered along his neck and arms and he tasted blood in his mouth from where his teeth had punched down. He blinked, trying to clear his vision.

  Claire pulled herself off the nap carpet, favoring one foot. Good. Maybe now she’d quit following him. A red head and a brunette eased down the hallway toward Claire. Farley backed up so they had more than enough room to feel safe. They kept throwing him frightened glances while at the same time fawning over Claire and asking her if she was all right.

  Propelled by a-whole-lota-pissed-off Farley almost shot right past Garrett’s office and had to do a hard break and grab the door jam.

  “Were you yelling at my office help?” Garrett didn’t look up from the file he was going through.

  “Just one. Claire.” Farley waited for the man to motion him in, and when Garrett did, he went pacing around the room like a caged animal.

  “Problem?”

  “Nothing I can’t deal with.” Which was a lie. He was twitchy, itchy, he needed…Haley. Farley stopped and took a breath.

  As if reading his mind Garrett asked, “Have you spoken to her since she went out?”

  “No.”

  The man raised his head. “Seriously?”

  Farley nodded. “My phone got trashed. And I’ve been a little…busy.”

  “So, you don’t know?”

  “Know what?” Garrett tapped the file sitting in front of him. Farley came up to the desk and his boss pushed it over.

  “Haley videotaped Orin, that UGA professor, getting assaulted by the Athens PD. It’s all over the news.”

  “Honorary professor.” ‘Cause Farley wasn’t about to give that arrogant asshole any more of a title than he deserved. He flipped through the first few pages of the report. There were a couple of still shots, all fuzzy with too much contrast. Indicative of the low pixilation associated with cell phone video, but he could clearly see the blood. It was almost black in the flashlight beams. “Looks bad.”

  “How well do you know Orin?”

  “How well do I know him? Or how well does Haley know him?” One of Garrett’s eyebrows went up. Farley shrugged. “Haley, Deshi and Orin all get invited to the same parties, dinners, and social shindigs. I don’t get invited to those kinds of things. I’m not Human enough.” And for the ten thousandth time Farley told himself it didn’t bother him. “He’s a friend.” At least that’s what Haley would call him, even though Farley suspected there was more. Way more. “They talk back and forth on the phone a lot. I know she’s invited him here to visit but he never comes. Personally? I don’t like Orin. He’s an asshole. Thinks he’s too good for his own people.” Yeah, the fact he’d blatantly snubbed Haley multiple times didn’t help his warm fuzzy feelings towards the Male. “To tell you the truth I wouldn’t be surprised if he had his Nevus cut out just to make himself more Human looking, because that’s all he cares about.” He shrugged. “That’s it, that’s all I know.”

  Garret tipped his chin. “And I believe you.”

  “Is she in trouble?” She better not be, because if she was he’d have Deshi’s ass on a silver platter.

  “No. Orin’s lawyer contacted Center. Deshi and Haley apparently saved Orin’s life. He was in pretty bad shape from what I’ve heard. What I can’t figure out is how those cops hurt Orin and none of the local boys wound up with a scratch.”

  Farley laughed. “Cause Orin has a Jesus complex.” Garrett’s other eyebrow went up. “Sorry, no offense.” Yeah, way to go, now we’re on to insulting the boss’s religious preferences. Okay, how should he put this? “Orin is a freak.” There, that was easy.

  Garrett gave him a look. Okay, maybe not.

  “I don’t know how else to put it, sir. As far as I know the bastard doesn’t even feed normally. Hell, who knows. Most of it’s rumors… But he’s weird.” Farley ran a hand over his head and squirmed under G
arrett’s stare, feeling like he ought to confess to some crime he’d fantasized about committing just in case he needed to get it off his chest. “Look, Orin’s what you get when a Kin wants to be Human, okay? From what little contact I’ve had with the SOB he hates himself.” He folded his arms and Garrett’s eyes finally went down. For some reason Farley felt like he’d just dodged a bullet.

  “Do you need to call her?” As in, maybe it will make you quit wearing a trench in my floor.

  Farley planted his feet into the ground one more time. “Naw, I’m good. I know she’s okay. I can feel her here.” He put a hand on his shoulder. Farley looked at the folder again, flipped the page and stared at a fuzzy copy of her office ID. While he may not need a cell phone to know she was all right, he had to admit it sure would be nice to hear her voice.

  “You sure you’re okay with this?”

  He blinked and peeled his eyes off the picture. “With what?” Oh yeah, he’d almost forgotten the reason why he’d gotten up this afternoon. “Yeah, I’m good.” One more quick look, then he shoved the file back at Garrett. “What’s the game plan?”

  Garrett stood up went across the office and shut the door. When he came back to the desk he sat on the edge. “Paul Husley is on his way to meet us downstairs. He’s going to take a look at you. Apparently Heikman is pretty specific about what he likes and Paul wants to make sure you’re not too tall or too…whatever. He’ll take you to the drop off point and give you the details about the exchange. Paul says Heikman is getting impatient. Our inside contact figures we have about forty-eight to seventy-two hours tops to get those girls out of there.”

  “Why such a short window?”

  “Heikman moves them to an undisclosed location after a few days at the GLG.” The look in the man’s eye suggested once that happened, there wouldn’t be anything left to save.

  “I’m not going to lie to you, Farley. This is extremely dangerous. It isn’t the Dens.”

  He snorted. “And you think the Dens can’t be dangerous?”

  “Okay, fair enough. But these are Humans. They aren’t going to adhere to your social rules. And that’s one thing about Kin that’s reliable--you follow an order. Humans don’t.”